The independent IIHF Disciplinary Board has dismissed the appeals submitted by Ivan Fedotov and the Professional Hockey Club (“CSKA”) against IIHF’s decision to implement sanctions on Mr. Fedotov for the breach of his National Hockey League (“NHL”) Standard Player Contract (“SPC”) with the Philadelphia Flyers and on CSKA for inducing Mr. Fedotov to breach his SPC with the NHL when he signed with CSKA for the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 season.

With respect to these appeals, the Deciding Panel determined that:

a.         pursuant to the IIHF International Transfer Regulations, the IIHF had jurisdiction to consider whether Mr. Fedotov had a SPC with the Philadelphia Flyers, its validity and status. 

b.         the IIHF correctly determined that Mr. Fedotov breached his SPC that with the Philadelphia Flyers when he signed a contract with CSKA to play in the KHL for the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 season, as Mr. Fedotov’s SPC had been correctly tolled to the 2023/2024 season.

c.         not only did CSKA not rebut the presumption of inducement, but the evidence established that CSKA did induce Mr. Fedotov to breach his SPC with the Philadelphia Flyers by signing Mr. Fedotov to a contract with CSKA when it knew or ought to have known that Mr. Fedotov’s contract with the Philadelphia Flyers was tolled.  

d.         in accordance with the IIHF International Transfer Regulations, the IIHF had the obligation to implement sporting sanctions on both Mr. Fedotov and CSKA.

Following sporting sanctions imposed by the IIHF on Ivan Fedotov:

- A four (4) month suspension on playing in official national and international games during playing periods.

Following sporting sanctions imposed by the IIHF on CSKA Hockey Club:

- A one (1) season ban on International Transfers

“We welcome the decision of the independent IIHF Disciplinary Board, which supports the IIHF’s firm belief that all professional player contracts must be respected,” said IIHF President Luc Tardif.